FAQ: business lending & business loans for business owners
Business Loans Frequently Ask Questions
Information About The Somerville Small Business Loans
Tell me what you think of the Somerville Small Business Loans
Somerville unsecured loans offers amounts of between $5,000 and $100,000 with terms between 3 and 24 months and cash flow friendly repayments which can be made daily or weekly.
How is this Unsecured Loan different from an traditional company loan?
Apply to your Small Business Loan in under 10 minutes on the internet or over the phone, receive a same day response and the money could be on your account within 24 hours. Traditional company loans refer to an annual rate of interest along with other charges and fees. We offer a business loan is an upfront priced loan and you’ll be aware in advance of the total amount due, which includes the interest, fees and charges. Then, it is broken down into a daily or weekly amount to be paid back.
What could the Small Business Loan be used for?
A Small Business Loan can be used for nearly every company need, such as control of cash flow company remodels and marketing to purchase inventory, new equipment, or as general working capital and so much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Concerning Larger Somerville Business Loans
What is the Larger Somerville Business Loan?
The Larger Business Loan is a larger size loan to aid in business growth opportunities. Loans are between $100,000 and $500,000 over a fixed term up to 36 months. Repayments are scheduled weekly or fortnightly in order to accommodate the flow of cash.
How’s the Origination Fee determined?
A Larger Business Loan has an Origination Fee, which is calculated at 2.5% of the loan amount.
Am I eligible for the Larger Business Loan?
To be eligible for a credit in this amount, your company needs to be operating for a minimum of 3 years with an annual turnover of $700K. Your company must belong to a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident) with a minimum age of 18 years old and have a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD) and be able to prove at the least 12 months of operating.
How can the funds be used for?
A Larger Business Loan can be used for nearly every company use, including company improvements, purchasing new equipment or inventory or as general working capital, and much more. The loan is not available to fund personal expenses.
Is the Larger Business Loan a secured loan?
Asset security is needed for accessing funds over $150,000. This can be done by taking a charge on assets and can be registered on the PPSR or the registration of a caveat.
A personal or director’s guarantee is a guarantee to pay back a loan that is generally based rather than stipulating the security of a specific asset. The person signing the ensure is personally responsible if the business lender is not able to pay back the debt.
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is an online central register that is operated by the New Zealand Government. It contains security interests which are registered with respect to personal property (including objects or assets). The PPSR allows prioritisation over property that is personal to be granted depending on the date that a security interest has been registered.
A caveat is a legal document lodged to provide notice of a legal claim on a property.
What is a pre-approval minus Credit Check?
When you’re applying for the Larger Business Loan that is greater than $250K it’s possible to offer an initial pre-approval to ease the process. We might be able to make this decision without credit checks and within 6 hours of your initial application. The pre-approval is based upon a preliminary assessment which includes the answer to a series of financial well-being questions. It is not an offer or guarantee of credit. Unconditional approval is subject to an assessment of your creditworthiness and any offer that you are offered could have different conditions.
The application process
Do I qualify for funds?
You may be eligible for an company loan if you
- are a New Zealand Citizen (or Permanent Resident)
- are 18 years or older, own a New Zealand business (with a valid NZBN/IRD)
- must show at least six months’ worth of transactions (for a unsecured loan $5K – $100K) or 3 years of continuous trading (for the Larger Business Loan $100K up to $500K)
How do I apply?
The process for applying is fast and simple. Simply complete the online form in just a few minutes, and a dedicated company loan specialist will contact you to assist you.
To apply for up to $100,000, you’ll need proof of identity (valid Driver’s License) and an NZBN/IRD that is valid and at least six months worth of bank statements.
If you’re looking for loans with larger sizes, you’ll need:
$100K – $250K: Details of application, including credit consent, 6 – 12 months of IRD statements, bank statements (if you have a loan of more than $150K).
$250K – $500K: Information on the application including credit consent twelve months bank statement, an IRD statement, last 2 years finalised financial statements, and interim financial statements for the current year including Aged Payables, Aged Receivables summary.
What speed will I be able to get a decision?
For an unsecured loan ($5K or more) we typically provide an answer within one hour, provided you submit your request in quality business times and you allow us to use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank details online. If you choose to send us copies of your bank statements , we are able to provide an answer within one business day.
For Larger Business Loans ($100K up to $500,000) we may be able to provide you with a conditional pre-approval within about 6 hours. After you’ve signed the pre-approval document, you will need to wait approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this could be shorter based on the particular circumstances of each application. Certain offers have been approved within the space of 24 hours.
The quickest method would be to make sure you apply during normal company hours, and allow us to use the modern bank verification link to instantly check your bank’s information online. If you send us copies of your bank accounts, it takes a bit longer.
How quickly will I receive the funds?
For the Small Business Loan ($5K up to $100,000) we typically offer an answer within an hour – provided you apply in normal business timings and allow us to utilise the advanced bank verification system link to instantly verify your bank information online. If you want to send us copies of your bank statements, we are able to offer a decision within 1 business day.
For the Larger Business Loans ($100K or more) we might be likely to provide the conditional pre-approval in about six hours. Once you’ve signed your pre-approval form, it will take approximately 2-3 days to receive final approval. However, this may be quicker depending on the circumstances of each application. Some deals have been approved in less than 24 hours.
The most effective method would be to make sure you apply during standard business hours and let us use the advanced bank verification system to instantly verify your bank information online. If you opt to upload duplicates of your banking statements it will take a little longer.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow?
We provide loans ranging from $5,000 and $500,000. If you apply for a particular amount, we consider a variety of aspects in order to assess what is the well-being of your company and the level of payments your company is able to afford. The amount you receive from your loan will be contingent on the particular circumstances that are unique to your company.
When you apply for a set amount, we will consider a number of aspects to assess how much we can lend you such as well-being for your company and the amount of payments your business will be able to support. The total amount of your loan will be contingent on the specifics of your business.
Fees & repayments
What is the cost for the cost of a business loan?
When you request one of our business loan, we will assess the risk assessment that you have for your company and offer you with a customised proposal that includes the amount of the loan, the duration and interest rates. The company loan is a loan that is priced upfront and you’ll be aware of the total amount payable including any costs, fees, or interest rates.
What determines the amount I’m charged?
The interest rates on company loans rates depend on several factors like the amount of money borrowed, the business assets the money will be used for in addition to the industry that the company is operating in, how long the company has been running and how long the business has enough cash flow to fund the loan, and also the overall health or creditworthiness of the company.
What are the costs?
There aren’t any hidden charges with our company loans. You’ll know exactly how much it is that you be required to pay and when, starting from the first day. There’s no compounding interest, and the loan comes with no additional fees (as long as you are able to make your payments punctually).
We do not charge an application fee. You can request a credit loan with absolutely no upfront cost and no any obligation to sign up.
The Origination Fee covers the expenses involved with setting up and managing the loan. It is only charged for this cost if you take out the loan. Our Origination Fee is 2.5% of the loan amount.
Do I have the option of paying off the loan early?
You can decide to repay the entire amount of your loan at any point in time.
If you are deciding to pursue this option, please talk to one of our helpful company loan specialists. We will provide you with details on repayment along with an early payout estimate. The figure will be calculated as the total of the principal balance and any accrued interest at the time of the early payout in addition to 1.5% of the principal remaining as well as any outstanding fees.
What are the repayment methods?
To make sure you do not miss payment dates and to align your cash flow cycle we provide repayments either daily or weekly. They are automatically deducted from your designated company account.
Security & privacy
Will my information be protected?
Making sure that your information is secure, and being clear about the ways we gather data, process, exchange and safeguard your data, is of huge importance and is a crucial part of our relationship you.
Is it safe to link my bank account to the platform?
Yes. We employ industry-recognised encryption techniques to protect your personal, sensitive financial and other data. Our funders are ISO 27001 certified for our commitment to the security of our clients as well as their privacy. We make use of an advanced bank verification system link to immediately confirm your bank account information online so we can provide a fast response.
About business loans
What exactly is an asset-based loan (a secured loan)?
Asset-based borrowing is when an business owner utilises an asset that they own to get the funds for a loan. The asset may be an individual asset, such as the family home or an company asset like a truck or piece or equipment.
The vast majority of lending institutions, including the major banks, prefer to guarantee loans against an asset. If you are having difficulty paying back the loan, your asset may be sold by the lender. In essence it is means of securing additional financing making use of the value of what you already own.
Do I need security to get a business loan?
For loans that exceed $150,000, no asset security is required upfront to access the money, however we do need a personal guarantee. As long as you follow the loan terms (as detailed in the loan contract) and you are able to meet your obligations, asset security will never be needed. For loans over $150,000 generally there is the option of a personal guarantee and security in the form of a charge over assets.